With only three meetings across the UK & Ireland on Sunday, Betfred‘s Owen McMahon has had to think outside the box for today’s NAP.
Regular readers will know that low-grade handicaps, especially over sprint trips, are not my cup of tea. Far from it, in fact.
However, after studying Sunday’s cards I’ve taken to Charlie Johnston’s ZACHARY for this 0-55 Nursery Handicap over 6f.
After three poor efforts in maiden/novice company over the minimum trip earlier this year, the two-year-old was gelded and sent straight into a handicap, at Brighton over 5½f , off an opening mark of 51.
He finished third that day, beaten just over 1L – for me a significant improvement on what we’d previously seen from the son of Cable Bay.
The result? He’s been dropped 2lbs by the handicapper. Answers on a postcard, please…
That seems incredibly generous given the performance on what was his first outing since being gelded. He should come on for the run and, based on how he finished his race off just under two weeks ago, he looks suited to this step up to 6f.
Of his five rivals on Sunday afternoon, Art Fantastique rates the biggest threat. He’ll have his supporters, but a 6lb rise for his win last time out looks harsh.
Racing is unpredictable, especially at this level (which is exactly why I never usually get involved), but Zachary looks to have an incredible chance of getting off the mark here.
